Results 1,721-1,740 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (26 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 620 of 12 February 2008. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section...

Broadband Services: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on broadband services and to speak in support of the Government counter-motion, which details recent progress in the area of broadband and signals the Government's intent to further ambitiously improve Ireland's position. A planned investment of €8 billion for science, technology and innovation in the National Development...

Broadband Services: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: ComReg found that 40% of Irish households had a broadband connection at the end of September 2007. I expect that ComReg data for the current quarter will confirm that we are now at the 50% household penetration mark. Significant Government investment has given Ireland excellent international connectivity and helped reduce the cost of regional backhaul to allow private sector investment in...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (27 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: Information supplied by fire authorities indicates that, at 1 January 2007, the total number of full-time and retained personnel employed in the fire service as Fire-Fighter/Leading Fire-Fighter/Driver/Mechanic is 1,057 and 1,692 respectively. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, is a statutory function of...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (27 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: The application is currently under consideration and I expect a decision on this matter will be made in the near future.

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the House for facilitating today's debate. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce the Bill in the Seanad and I look forward to positive contributions from Members. The Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971 was first debated in the Seanad, so it is fitting that this short confirmatory Bill relating to the 1971 Act is introduced in this...

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank Members for their constructive comments. A number of interesting points were made, although not all necessarily confined to the remit of the legislation before the House. They were, nevertheless, interesting for any of us who have served on local authorities, who acknowledge the wonderful work they do and who suspect they could do much better work if the framework was more...

Seanad: Health Policy (28 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank Senator Keaveney for raising the issue, which I am responding to on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children. The programme for Government contains a commitment to the development of a freely available and personalised national programme to provide for the prevention and early detection of illnesses for both men and women. The programme intends...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill for raising these important matters and for the opportunity to clarify the important issue of the use of asbestos cement pipes in water schemes. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. Asbestos cement piping formerly used in local authority water mains was required to meet...

Seanad: Schools Building Programme (28 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: On behalf of the Minister for Education and Science I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity of outlining to the House the Department's position regarding the proposed provision of additional accommodation and refurbishment works for Howth Road mixed national school. Under the lifetime of the national development plan almost €4.5 billion will be invested in schools. This is an...

Seanad: Schools Building Programme (28 Feb 2008)

Tony Killeen: I undertake to pass that message to the Minister.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (4 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 543, inclusive, together. The provision of a fire service in a fire authority's functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of the individual fire...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (6 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: Approval in principle was granted under the Department's 2005 fire service capital programme for the construction of a new two bay fire station in Youghal, County Cork. The fire authority submitted detailed design drawings and a cost plan in respect of the project to the Department in September 2006. Based on the documentation submitted, in April 2007, the Department approved the fire...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (11 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: In November 2007, Longford County Council submitted an application for approval in principle for the refurbishment and extension of Granard Branch Library. The Council was advised that as this proposal was not included in the Public Library Capital Expenditure Programme 2005-2007, it could not be advanced at that time. However, it is my intention to initiate a new multi-annual programme...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (11 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: I will arrange to have this information sent to the Deputy as soon as the decision has been made in regard to the prospecting licences.

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, and other Members for facilitating the passage of this short but nonetheless very important Bill. Certain issues were raised on Second Stage and I have issued letters of clarification in respect of some of those. While others remain outstanding, I will ensure that letters are issued to Members concerning those. The Bill has the consequence of ensuring...

Seanad: Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: I will make sure the Senator receives the information.

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: The assessment of the prospects for geological storage of carbon in Ireland is at a relatively early stage. A study, due in September 2008, by Sustainable Energy Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) is examining the potential for such storage on the island of Ireland. In addition, an EPA–GSI project in...

Written Answers — Mining Industry: Mining Industry (12 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: The funding provided in 2008, is sufficient to allow works to commence at the Tailings Management Facility at Gortmore; the first site in the rehabilitation project. I am advised that tenders will be invited from a shortlist of suitable contractors for this phase of the project in the very near future with a view to work commencing on site in quarter two of this year. Given the phased...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (12 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: The Department provides funding to library authorities in respect of a number of projects including new buildings, fittings and furniture, new book stock and improved ICT facilities, mobile libraries and delivery vans, rental subsidies, training and local authority archives. Funding of almost €18m was awarded in 2007 with almost €19m being provided in 2008. 21 mobile libraries and 18...